Ukraine is a direct participant in negotiations to end Russia’s war against it, and there is real progress in the process, although it is too early to speak of a quick peace, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Kyrylo Budanov said during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
“We are moving forward. I cannot say that we will have peace tomorrow—if anyone promises that, it is not true. But we are making enormous efforts to achieve it,” Budanov emphasized.
According to him, both the Ukrainian side and the United States are actively working to find ways to end the war. “Whether people like it or not, there is movement, and it is real. We are indeed making progress,” the Head of the Presidential Office stressed.
At the same time, he noted that the success of the negotiations will largely depend on the position of the Russian Federation. “You understand who we are dealing with,” he added.
Budanov emphasized that Ukraine is directly involved in the negotiation process, and it is therefore incorrect to say that “Ukraine must have a seat at the negotiating table.”
“We are in the negotiation process, understand this correctly. Thankfully, this process is not happening without us,” he said.
Budanov thanked the United States, European countries, and Canada for their long-standing support of Ukraine and stressed that it remains critically important today.
“Without your engagement, our position will weaken, and with a weak position, negotiating becomes very problematic,” he warned.
Speaking about the key conditions for future peace, the Head of the Presidential Office emphasized that Ukraine needs a just peace, security guarantees, and a clear reconstruction plan. At the same time, he added that “internal quarrels will not help.”
“We are pooling our efforts, mobilizing, and will see this through to the end. We need a just peace—that’s correct. Security guarantees are necessary. A plan for reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine is needed. But internal quarrels will not help,” Budanov said.
